Category: Seasonal News

It’s hurricane season again, so we’re keeping this checklist up at the top of our blog. Let’s all make sure to stay safe, and if you need us, we’re here for you.

So, on to the hurricane preparedness list…

BEFORE THE HURRICANE

Check all sump pumps, float switches and alarms in elevator pits.

Close up all vents and openings in top of hoistway and machine room to prevent water from entering.

If elevators open to the outside, place sandbags along the bottom of hoistway doors. Since this makes the elevator unusable, do this just before shutting down the elevator.

DURING THE HURRICANE

Run elevators to the top floor of hoistway and pull the main breaker in the elevator machine room (not in the building’s main breaker room).

Park elevators with doors closed.

Do not operate elevators during the hurricane.

AFTER THE HURRICANE

Inspect the elevator pit, cab and machine room for any water. Do not energize main line breaker if water is found.

If water is found, call your elevator service provider immediately!

Do not attempt to start elevator if power is out – call your electric company

Even with the proper preparations, hurricanes often cause power outages and surges that can stop elevators between floors and entrap passengers, and worse, knock out the emergency communication system. Be aware that people may be trapped in elevators with no way to call for help. We can’t state this strongly enough: never try to exit, or attempt to help others exit, a stalled elevator without trained professional rescue workers on hand.

Escalators, moving walks, and their components should be cleaned periodically to prevent accumulations of dirt, grit, lubricants, and all the candy wrappers, lollipop sticks, bottle caps, and other weird stuff that somehow makes its way into the inner workings of the machine.

Sure, it’s a dirty job, but you know what they say: Someone’s got to do it. The good news is we do what we can to make it quicker and easier.

First of all, remember the barricade. Keep yourself and the public safe. If your current ones are falling apart, which they oft seem to do, give ours a try. They’re going to be some of the best built, sturdiest, and long lasting barricades you can get:

Remember, scheduled escalator clean downs will, in the long run, save time and money, and also give an opportunity to discover problems that can be addressed before they become safety issues — or an even bigger problem.

Share this:

Be our guest at this year’s NAEC Convention in Orlando, Florida! All you have to do is click the link below and fill out the details, and save yourself the registration fee. This is a time-limited link so don’t delay.